No be small matter o, my people! The House of Representatives don kpokpo proposals wey go change how State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIEC) dey operate. Dem wan sharply improve the 1999 Constitution wey use dey govern our elections, especially for local government level.

Wetin dem dey talk? Dem propose dem go make am hard for state governors to interfere with how SIEC dey run their show. Dem say this go clear gbege wey dey happen since wetin state governors dey influence results to favour their parties. E no go sweet when we dey see how na just ruling party dey win all di time. Na dem go chop the votes like say na dem own dem.

Abeg, make I chuk mouth for wetin dem propose: Section 204 of di amended bill go help SIEC stand strong, say dem no go fit operate under any governor’s control again. Dem sef go fit comot rules for how elections go run without any oga at the top sha.

Wetin make dis gist dey hot be say di House never sleep on top dis matter. Dem gather for Committee on Constitution Review wey Dr. Benjamin Kalu dey lead, to sabi the koko wey dey ground. Dey gatz show local government elections deserve real orijinal democratic vibes, not just better correct show.

As Nigeria dey waka, civil society and all di noise makers dey hammer on top these issues. People don tire sey SIECs dey turn local elections to wetin dem dey call ‘formalities.’ E mean say e no dey real, na just one show wey dem dey put for our eyes. Dem dey push for make SIEC stand on top ungovernable power wey go give dem robust power like Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Na so we fit see true elections wey fit get public trust.

While we dey toast cold beer for here, make we just reflect on how dis new move fit change di whole game. If di amendments pass, e go be serious upgrade from wetin we don dey see since 1999 when democracy return. Na time wey grassroots go get real people wey fit lead dem, not just following demove for one corner.

E no be only matter say dem wan ’gather votes; dem too dey look how dem go educate voters. If dis waka gree, SIEC go fit conduct proper voter education, monitor party primaries, congresses, and political campaigns. As dem dey try reshuffle di deck like say dem dey play cards, we go dey watch how all dis go play out for local government elections.